Shortcut keys ABCs

Shortcut keys help provide an easier and usually quicker method of navigating and executing commands in computer software programs. Shortcut keys are commonly accessed by using the Alt key (on IBM compatible computers), Command key (on Apple computers), Ctrl key, or Shift key in conjunction with another
key. The de facto standard for listing a shortcut is listing the modifier key, a plus symbol,
and another key. In other words, "Ctrl+S" is telling you to press and hold the Ctrl key, and then press the S key too.

In addition to the shortcuts listed on this page, users can find the shortcut keys to their most popular program by looking for underlined letters in their menus. For example, the image to the right has an underline on the "F" in File, which means you can press the Alt key and then the "F" key to access the File menu.

Some programs require the user
to press and hold Alt to see the underlined characters. Finally, as can also be seen, some of the common features such as Open (Ctrl+O) and Save (Ctrl+S) have shortcut keys assigned to them. As you begin to memorize shortcut keys, you'll notice that many applications share the same shortcut keys. We have a list of the most commonly shared ones in the basic PC shortcut keys section.

Tip: Users outside the United States or users using a foreign copy of a
Microsoft Windows or Microsoft application may not be able to get all
the below shortcut keys to perform the function listed.

Basic PC shortcut keys

Below is a list of some of the most commonly used basic
shortcut keys that work with almost all IBM compatible computers and
software programs. It is highly recommended that all users keep a good
reference of these shortcut keys or try to memorize them. Doing so will dramatically increase your productivity.